European Handball Federation Keen to Introduce Women's Final Four Event

Handball - 15 May 2013 - The EHF, the European handball federation, is considering the introduction of a ‘Final Four’ closing stage to the women’s champions league, the top-tier clubs competition, to mirror the existing format for the men’s competition.

The Final Four, which involves the semi-finals and finals of the competition being played at the same venue over two consecutive days, was introduced to the men’s competition in 2009-10, and the women’s league could soon follow suit, according to Jean Brihault, the EHF president.

Brihault told Handballwoche, the German-language handball magazine: ‘‘We are at the point, where we can say after many discussions that perhaps we can be ready as early as next season.

‘‘Obviously questions about the financing and the host venue must be cleared up as a priority, but we already went very far on that at the last meeting of the EHF executive committee.

‘‘We have many inquiries from potential partners, and therefore I see the best opportunities that this tournament will come into being.’’

The men’s 2013 Velux EHF Final Four will take place at Cologne’s Lanxess Arena on June 1 and 2.